The Merry Monk & The Belfry
Review
The Merry Monk - Food for thought
Just a mile from Ballina, The Merry Monk is the kind of destination pub people happily detour for. Its award-winning carvery is the headline act, carved generously and cooked with confidence, but the secret is provenance. Meats are sourced locally; vegetables are lifted from the family’s own fields, untreated and bursting with flavour. In an era of shortcuts, owner Joe Lavelle and his daughter, Gillian, refuse to compromise, choosing freshness and traceability over margins. Plates arrive abundant and honest: roast beef blushing and tender, buttery mash, crackling seasonal greens, gravies that taste of long, slow attention. It’s hearty, straight-talking Irish cooking made with care and pride, food that fills you up and makes you feel looked after. No wonder diners return from town and far beyond.
The Belfry - Sleep Tight
Just a stone’s throw from Ballina, The Belfry delivers the kind of warm, unfussy hospitality you only get from a family who already run an award-winning neighbour, the Merry Monk Bar & Restaurant next door. Rooms are cosy and modern, with thoughtful touches, cracking showers and comfortable beds, all at a price that keeps longer stays tempting. Free parking and an easy check-in make arrival smooth, while breakfast and dining options next door add serious convenience. Use The Belfry as your base to roam County Mayo: stroll Belleek Woods, trace the Wild Atlantic Way, or steal an afternoon on Enniscrone’s sands. After a day out, you’re minutes from hearty food and a restful night. Simple, honest, great-value accommodation done right for travellers to Co. Mayo.
- Top 100 Review
Contact Us
Killala Road
,
Ballina, Co. Mayo
, F26 D938
Image Gallery
Click on a photograph to view in a larger format
Location
View the map below to see where we are and to get directions.
Nearby Attractions
Connacht Whiskey Distillery
Perched perfectly on Ireland's captivating west coast, the Connaught Distillery in Ballina, Co. Mayo, stands as a testament to the rich heritage of Irish whiskey. With a history steeped in tradition, this distillery effortlessly captures the essence of time-honored craftsmanship.
Jackie Clarke Collection
in the heart of Ballina, The Jackie Clarke Collection is a real revelation, a living chronicle of Ireland told through one man’s lifelong obsession. Jackie Clarke (1927–2000), a local businessman of uncommon curiosity, and his wonderful wife, Anne, amassed more than 100,000 items spanning four centuries;
Foxford
Foxford Woollen Mill is a perennial favourite in my Top 100 Attractions on the Island of Ireland book, and with good reason, I’ve endorsed it twice already. Established in 1892, this Mayo icon has delivered craftsmanship and innovation for over 130 years, never standing still while others tread water.